Multipurpose hair apparel

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose hair apparel includes an elastic retention band and a non-elastic fabric shelter, having a width substantially larger than a width of the retention band, extended from the retention band in an end-to-end manner to form a wearing loop for adjustably conforming a head of a user. The fabric shelter is adapted to stretch out its width to form a head shield for covering the head of the user and to adjustably reduce the width corresponding to the width of the retention band to form a headband for crowning at the head of the user. The retention band is adapted to repeatedly loop to form a scrunchy for tightening up a ponytail of the user. Therefore, the user is able to multi-use the multipurpose hair apparel to confine the hair in different ways and different styles.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a hair apparel, and more particularly to a multipurpose hair apparel which is adapted to be shaped in different forms such that the user is able to multi-use the multipurpose hair apparel as a headband for keeping the hair away from the face, as a hair wrap in the form of either a scarf or a bandana for covering the hair, as a ponytail scrunchy for firmly tightening up the ponytail.

2. Description of Related Arts

Today's active women and girls need an apparatus to assist with their hair control and adornment. Particularly women and girls with thick, curly, or long hair need apparel to attractively hold their hair in place while they function without distraction. The most popular hair accessories that can hold their hair in position while being decorative are scrunchy, headband, hair wrap in the form of a bandana or scarf.

A conventional scrunchy comprises a ring shaped tubular sleeve with an elastic band enclosed therealong wherein the scrunchy is repeatedly looped to tighten up the ponytail. Unlike most rubber bands, the scrunchy holds the hair in place without pulling or damaging the hair.

A conventional headband or hair wrap generally comprises a ring shaped covering annulus and an elastic band provided therealong, wherein a circumference of the elastic band of the headband or hair wrap is substantially larger than a circumference of the elastic band of the scrunchy. The elastic band provides a reinforced elasticize of the covering annulus to conform the shape of the head. Accordingly, the elastic band is either stitched along the covering annulus to form an elastic edge of the covering annulus or enclosed within the covering annulus having a tubular structure. It is worth to mention that the headband is formed if the width of the covering annulus is smaller than the size of the forehead such that the headband is adapted to keep the hair away from the face. The hair wrap is formed if the covering annulus has a predetermined width for head covering.

However, such headband and hair wrap have a common drawback that the elastic band is formed in a loop shape to encircle the head of the user so as to retain the covering annulus in position. The user will feel uncomfortable that the elastic band is always tightened around the head. In addition, the elastic band is an elongated elastic string having a limited width extended along the covering annulus such that when the user wearers such headband or hair wrap, the elastic string actually ties around the head of the user which will leave a definite mark on the forehead of the user over a period of continuous use.

It is worth to mention that the scrunchy, headband, and hair wrap in the form of scarf or bandana have their unique sizes and shapes in order to achieve their own purpose. The scrunchy, headband, and hair wrap are not interchangeable for use since the scrunchy is too small to encircle the head of the user and the elastic band of the headband and hair wrap is too big and bulky to tighten up the ponytail of the user. In other words, the user may merely purchase and carry all of them to confine the hair in different ways.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose hair apparel which is adapted to be shaped in different forms such that the user is able to multi-use the multipurpose hair apparel as a headband for keeping the hair away from the face, as a hair wrap for covering and/or adorning the hair, as a ponytail scrunchy for firmly tightening up the ponytail.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose hair apparel, wherein an elastic retention band is extended from a non-elastic fabric shelter in an end-to-end manner to form a wearing loop for encircling with the head of the user such that only the retention band provides a stretching force to hold the wearing loop in position so as to enhance the comfortability of the present invention while being worn.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose hair apparel, wherein the fabric shelter is adapted to selectively expand a width thereof to form a head shield for covering the head of the user and to adjustably reduce the width corresponding to a width of the retention band to form a headband for crowning at the head of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose hair apparel, wherein the retention band is adapted to repeatedly loop to form a scrunchy for tightening up the ponytail while the fabric shelter is encircled with the retention band for preventing the hair from being pulled or damaged.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose hair apparel, wherein the retention band has a predetermined width adapted to comfortably fit on the lower back of the head and to be normally covered by the hair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose hair apparel, wherein the loop size of the wearing loop is adjustable to universal fit the users having different head sizes such that a kid, a woman, or a man with bald head is able to wear the multipurpose hair apparel to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose hair apparel, wherein no expensive or mechanical structure is required to employ in the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution for providing all-in-one hair apparel for confining the hair in different ways.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a multipurpose hair apparel, comprising:

an elastic retention band having a predetermined width; and

a non-elastic fabric shelter, having a width substantially larger than the width of the retention band, extended from the retention band in an end-to-end manner to form a wearing loop for adjustably conforming a head of a user that the fabric shelter is adapted to stretch out its width to form a head shield for covering the head of the user and to adjustably reduce the width corresponding to the width of the retention band to form a headband for crowning at the head of the user, wherein the retention band is adapted to repeatedly loop to form a scrunchy for tightening up a ponytail of the user.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multipurpose hair apparel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectional view of the multipurpose hair apparel according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3F illustrate the application of the multipurpose hair apparel according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a multipurpose hair apparel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the multipurpose hair apparel comprises an elastic retention band 10 having a predetermined width and a non-elastic fabric shelter 20, having a width substantially larger than the width of the retention band 10, extended from the retention band 10 in an end-to-end manner to form a wearing loop 100 for adjustably conforming a head of a user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the retention band 10, having at least 1 inch wide, comprises an elongated scrunchy body 11 having a tubular cavity 111 and a flat elastic band 12 which is disposed along the tubular cavity 111 of the scrunchy body 11, wherein two ends of the elastic band 12 are securely attached to two ends of the scrunchy body 11 respectively to form two end cuffs 101 to connect the fabric shelter 20 to form the wearing loop 100.

Accordingly, the scrunchy body 11 is made of non-stretchable fabric such that the scrunchy body 11 forms a sleeve to receive the elastic band 12 so as to prevent the direct contact between the elastic band 12 and the user's skin. A length of the scrunchy body 11 is substantially longer than a length of the elastic band 12 such that the scrunchy body 11 provides enough room for the elastic band 12 to be stretched to prolong the length thereof so as to elasticize the retention band 10. In other words, the scrunchy body 11 is normally gathered along the length thereof when the elastic band 12 is not stretched.

Preferably, the elastic band 12 has approximately 1 inch width and 6.25 inches long. The scrunchy body 11 has approximately 12 inches long. It is worth to mention the width of the retention body 10 provides enough tension to cling to the lower back of the head so as to retain the wearing loop 100 in position to comfortably fit on the head of the user.

The fabric shelter 20 is preferably made of pliable material for providing comfortable feeling when the wearing loop 100 is encircled with the head of the user. Two side edges of the fabric shelter 20 are gathered to form two gathering edges 21 firmly attached to the end cuffs 101 of the retention body 10 to form the wearing loop 100. In other words, when the user wears the wearing loop 100, only the retention band 10 provides stretching force at the lower back of the head to hold the fabric shelter 20 at the forehead of the user such that the head of the user will not be stretchably tightened by the retention band 10 so as to prevent any mark left on the forehead of the user over a period of continuous use.

Accordingly, the fabric shelter 20 can achieve different objectives when different materials are used. If the fabric shelter 20 is made of waterproof, UV protection and/or heat insulated material, the user is able to wear the multipurpose hair apparel of the present invention for hair protection. If the fabric shelter 20 is made of material having ventilation feature, the user is able to wear the multipurpose hair apparel of the present invention during outdoor activities as well as for absorbing the perspiration and keeping the hair away from face of the user. Likewise, if the fabric shelter 20 is made of heavier material or stiff material, the fabric shelter 20 will give more of a definite shape of the multipurpose hair apparel. In addition, the fabric shelter 20 is made of soft or silk fabric that it falls loosely at the nape of the neck. It is worth to mention the present invention can be used for the patient to cover his or her head for protection after the head and/or hair surgical treatment or chemo therapy.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two ends of the elastic band 12 are sewn to the gathering edges 21 of the fabric shelter 20 to form two stitching seams respectively wherein the two ends of the scrunchy body 11 are overlappedly sewn on the fabric shelter 20 to enclose the stitching seams so as to strengthen the connection between the retention band 10 and the fabric shelter 20. Therefore, the two ends of the elastic band 12 are firstly sewn to the gathering edges 21 of the fabric shelter 20 and then the two ends of the scrunchy body 11 are overlappedly sewn on the fabric shelter 20 to enclose the stitching seams. In other words, the gathering edges 21 of the fabric shelter 20 are sandwiched between the ends of the elastic band 12 and the ends of the scrunchy body 11 to form the wearing loop 100.

According to the preferred embodiment, the multipurpose hair apparel can be shaped in different forms such that the user, such as a woman, a child, a man, is able to multi-use the multipurpose hair apparel to confine the hair in different ways or different styles as well as a chemo patient wanting to cover a bald head. The fabric shelter 20 is adapted to stretch out its width to form a head shield for covering the head of the user, as shown in FIG. 3A, such that the multipurpose hair apparel of the present invention functions as a hair wrap to cover the head of the user. The fabric shelter 20 is also adapted to adjustably reduce the width corresponding to the width of the retention band 10 to form a headband for crowning at the head of the user, as shown in FIG. 3B, such that the multipurpose hair apparel of the present invention functions as a headband to hold the hair out of the face.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the multipurpose hair apparel of the present invention functions as a scrunchy by repeatedly looping the retention band 10 for tightening up a ponytail of the user. It is worth to mention that when the multipurpose hair apparel is used as the scrunchy, the fabric shelter 20 is encircled with the retention band 10 for preventing the hair from being pulled or damaged.

FIG. 3D illustrates an alternative mode of the fabric shelter 20′ that the width of the fabric shelter 20′ can be substantially lengthened to form a hat to cover the hair of the user. Accordingly, the fabric shelter 20′ has the width that a front edge of the fabric shelter 20′ is positioned at the forehead of the user while a rear edge of the fabric shelter 20′ is rearwardly extended to tuck under the retention band 10 such that the fabric shelter 20′ forms a hair coverings to confining the hair of the user.

FIG. 3E illustrates another alternative use of the multipurpose hair apparel of the present invention, wherein the user, especially having a long hair, is able to wear the multipurpose hair apparel at a position that the fabric shelter 20 is adapted to stretch out its width to form a head shield for covering the head of the user while the retention band 10 is positioned under beneath the hair at the back of the head.

For creating different stylish hair appearance, the user is able to wear the multipurpose hair apparel as a bandana that the fabric shelter 20 having a size covering the head and the ears of the user and draping down a bit over the neck. In other words, the fabric shelter 20 is loosely draped over the nape of the neck, as shown in FIG. 3F, so as to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the user.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A multipurpose hair apparel, comprising: an elastic retention band having a predetermined width; and a non-elastic fabric shelter, having a width substantially larger than said width of said retention band, extended from said retention band in an end-to-end manner to form a wearing loop for adjustably conforming a head of a user that said fabric shelter is adapted to stretch out said width thereof to form a head shield for covering the head of the user and to adjustably reduce said width corresponding to said width of the retention band to form a headband for crowning at the head of the user, wherein said retention band is adapted to repeatedly loop to form a scrunchy for tightening up a ponytail of the user.
 2. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 1, wherein said retention band comprises an elongated scrunchy body having a tubular cavity and a flat elastic band which is disposed along said tubular cavity of said scrunchy body, wherein two ends of said elastic band are securely attached to two ends of said scrunchy body respectively to form two end cuffs to connect said fabric shelter to form said wearing loop.
 3. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 2, wherein a length of said scrunchy body is substantially longer than a length of said elastic band such that said scrunchy body, which is made of non-stretchable fabric, provides enough room for said elastic band to be stretched to prolong said length thereof so as to elasticize said retention band.
 4. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 1, wherein said width of said retention band is at least 1 inch wide for providing enough tension to cling to the lower back of the head, so as to retain said wearing loop in position for comfortably fitting on the head of the user.
 5. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 3, wherein said width of said retention band is at least 1 inch wide for providing enough tension to cling to the lower back of the head, so as to retain said wearing loop in position for comfortably fitting on the head of the user.
 6. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 2, wherein two side edges of said fabric shelter are gathered to form two gathering edges firmly attached to said end cuffs of said retention body to form said wearing loop.
 7. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 3, wherein two side edges of said fabric shelter are gathered to form two gathering edges firmly attached to said end cuffs of said retention body to form said wearing loop.
 8. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 5, wherein two side edges of said fabric shelter are gathered to form two gathering edges firmly attached to said end cuffs of said retention body to form said wearing loop.
 9. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 6, wherein said two ends of said elastic band are sewn to said gathering edges of said fabric shelter to form two stitching seams respectively, wherein said two ends of said scrunchy body are overlappedly sewn on said fabric shelter to enclose said stitching seams so as to strengthen a connection between said retention band and said fabric shelter.
 10. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 7, wherein said two ends of said elastic band are sewn to said gathering edges of said fabric shelter to form two stitching seams respectively, wherein said two ends of said scrunchy body are overlappedly sewn on said fabric shelter to enclose said stitching seams so as to strengthen a connection between said retention band and said fabric shelter.
 11. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 8, wherein said two ends of said elastic band are sewn to said gathering edges of said fabric shelter to form two stitching seams respectively, wherein said two ends of said scrunchy body are overlappedly sewn on said fabric shelter to enclose said stitching seams so as to strengthen a connection between said retention band and said fabric shelter.
 12. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 1, wherein said fabric shelter is wide enough that a rear edge of said fabric shelter is rearwardly extended to tuck under said retention band while a front edge of said fabric shelter clings to a forehead of the user, such that said fabric shelter forms a hair coverings for confining the hair of the user.
 13. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 3, wherein said fabric shelter is wide enough that a rear edge of said fabric shelter is rearwardly extended to tuck under said retention band while a front edge of said fabric shelter clings to a forehead of the user, such that said fabric shelter forms a hair coverings for confining the hair of the user.
 14. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 8, wherein said fabric shelter is wide enough that a rear edge of said fabric shelter is rearwardly extended to tuck under said retention band while a front edge of said fabric shelter clings to a forehead of the user, such that said fabric shelter forms a hair coverings for confining the hair of the user.
 15. The multipurpose hair apparel, as recited in claim 11, wherein said fabric shelter is wide enough that a rear edge of said fabric shelter is rearwardly extended to tuck under said retention band while a front edge of said fabric shelter clings to a forehead of the user, such that said fabric shelter forms a hair coverings for confining the hair of the user.
 16. A method of manufacturing a multipurpose hair apparel, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a flat elastic band along a tubular cavity of a scrunchy body, wherein two ends of said elastic band are securely attached to two ends of said scrunchy body respectively to form two end cuffs of a retention band; (b) gathering two side edges of a non-elastic fabric shelter to form two gathering edges, wherein a width of said fabric shelter is substantially larger than a width of said retention band; and (c) securely attaching said two gathering edges of said fabric shelter to said end cuffs of said retention body respectively to form a wearing loop for adjustably conforming a head of a user that said fabric shelter is adapted to stretch out said width thereof to form a head shield for covering the head of the user and to adjustably reduce said width corresponding to said width of the retention band to form a headband for crowning at the head of the user, wherein said retention band is adapted to repeatedly loop to form a scrunchy for tightening up a ponytail of the user.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, in step (c), further comprising the steps of: (c.1) sewing said two ends of said elastic band to said gathering edges of said fabric shelter to form two stitching seams respectively; and (c.2) overlappedly sewing said two ends of said scrunchy body on said fabric shelter to enclose said stitching seams so as to strengthen a connection between said retention band and said fabric shelter.
 18. The method, as recited in claim 17, wherein a length of said scrunchy body is substantially longer than a length of said elastic band such that said scrunchy body, which is made of non-stretchable fabric, provides enough room for said elastic band to be stretched to prolong said length thereof so as to elasticize said retention band.
 19. The method, as recited in claim 17, wherein said width of said retention band is at least 1 inch wide for providing enough tension to cling to the lower back of the head, so as to retain said wearing loop in position for comfortably fitting on the head of the user.
 20. The method, as recited in claim 18, wherein said width of said retention band is at least 1 inch wide for providing enough tension to cling to the lower back of the head, so as to retain said wearing loop in position for comfortably fitting on the head of the user. 